PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

I'm a newbie to this hobby with a 55 gal (HOB skimmer, HOB refugium, aqua clear 70). For a year it will be FOWL, but if that goes well, then will look into easier corals. A standard CUC is all that I have now. This is still a work in progress, but here is what I'm thinking:

- For sure: bonded pair of Occ. clown (plan to get these into QT this weekend)

- flame angel (is the tank size OK? LiveAquaria says they need 70 gal, a book I have says 50) tank size is marginal. It is not the size of the fish, it is the issue that the fish grazes off of algae in the tank and may not get sufficient food.
- green mandarin (once I get the pods in enough number) tank size is definitely not large enough. while virtually all will eat frozen supplied food, that will not be enough to sustain one long term
- clown goby
- bicolor dottyback far too aggressive especially in this tank size and definitely will not work with a firefish
- purple firefish introduce early on

Is that too many fish? Would it be possible to have a pair of the bicolor dottybacks and/or purple firefish? pairs usually do not work except for clownfish

And which would need to go in last -- the flame angel?

the general rule is most aggressive last, most passive first

Thanks!

 

[nanomania]

As I do thousands of these, can you please refresh my memory of tank size and stocking?

22g housing a pair of clown, a hairy hermit, algae blenny and a few snails... no sump

 

[snorvich]

22g housing a pair of clown, a hairy hermit, algae blenny and a few snails... no sump

Probably a firefish will work. Remember, however, when your clownfish are sexually mature, bond, and mate, they will want to control about 25 gallons of tank space

 

[shermanator]

- green mandarin (once I get the pods in enough number) tank size is definitely not large enough. while virtually all will eat frozen supplied food, that will not be enough to sustain one long term

Thanks for your answers -- very helpful!

How big of a tank does a green mandarin need? I bought the HOB refugium to house pods so that I could get a mandarin. Are there any mandarins I could keep in a 55 gal if I seed my fuge with tigger pods and wait until the tank is more mature?

 

[Wolverinegreg]

Ok, my turn The tank is empty now, so I know it's not ready for fish yet, but would like to plan ahead. I'd like to have the bulk of the fish being tank raised, but I am open to one or two wild caught specimen if it might make the mix more interesting.
DT is a deep blue rimless 75g
20g sump
80 lbs live rock
Skimmer (not bought yet)
Maxspect Razor 160w led

As Far as livestock, what I'd like so far is:
2 false perculas (ORA)
1 or 2 neon goby
1 mandarin dragonet once the tank is well established (ORA)

I plan to add a BTA later on as well.

What else could I get? I love the yellow tang, but this is too small of a tank. Is a dwarf angel an option in a reef tank? Oh...and being rimless, I'd rather avoid jumpers, so I guess wrasses are out, right?

Any suggestions weclomed, thanks guys!

 

[snorvich]

Ok, my turn The tank is empty now, so I know it's not ready for fish yet, but would like to plan ahead. I'd like to have the bulk of the fish being tank raised, but I am open to one or two wild caught specimen if it might make the mix more interesting.
DT is a deep blue rimless 75g
20g sump
80 lbs live rock
Skimmer (not bought yet)
Maxspect Razor 160w led

As Far as livestock, what I'd like so far is:
2 false perculas (ORA) lots of folks breed clownfish (they are very easy) so why pay the premium for ORA bred ones?
1 or 2 neon goby only one in this sized tank as they do not like each other unless a bonded pair
1 mandarin dragonet once the tank is well established (ORA)
ORA dragonets have mixed reviews at best. Your tank is large enough for a wild captured one if you wait 9 month until it is sufficiently mature.

I plan to add a BTA later on as well.

What else could I get? I love the yellow tang, but this is too small of a tank. Is a dwarf angel an option in a reef tank? Oh...and being rimless, I'd rather avoid jumpers, so I guess wrasses are out, right?

yellow tangs require larger tanks but a kole tang or other in that family would work. dwarf angels would work, but are not coral safe

Any suggestions weclomed, thanks guys!

all fish can jump so a mesh top would be a good idea. Egg crate will not keep fish in.

 

[Ratpac4]

Time for Company after a long time

Time for Company after a long time

I have a 72G bowfront that's been the home to a sole damsel (I think she's a black damsel) for about five years. She's turned grey with a patch of yellow on the forehead. She's about 3.5 inches from tip to tail.

I'm ready to start introducing more fish. I'm worried my damsel will destroy anything I put in with her so I am timid to say the least... Should I find a new home for her before restocking or will she learn to live with the others?

1. Kole Tang
2. Pair of juvi Occ Clowns
3. Diamond Goby
4. A couple of Banggai Cardinals
5. Cardinal Blenny
6. Anem for clowns
7. Some soft corals (later)

 

[snorvich]

I have a 72G bowfront that's been the home to a sole damsel (I think she's a black damsel) for about five years. She's turned grey with a patch of yellow on the forehead. She's about 3.5 inches from tip to tail.

I'm ready to start introducing more fish. I'm worried my damsel will destroy anything I put in with her so I am timid to say the least... Should I find a new home for her before restocking or will she learn to live with the others?

1. Kole Tang
2. Pair of juvi Occ Clowns
3. Diamond Goby
4. A couple of Banggai Cardinals must be male plus female and tank bred
5. Cardinal Blenny
6. Anem for clowns
7. Some soft corals (later)

Except as noted, the stocking list should be fine but I would move out the damsel for a few weeks as it is likely to destroy new fish. If it is one of the Dascyllus damsels, they can be a holy terror.

 

[Tamarae]

Snorvich - you are awesome for offering up your expertise on fish stocking, thanks!
I have a 37g reef with LPS and some Zoas so far (and 1 little tiny montipora frag) all thriving.

Two ocellaris clowns that seem to be doing the domanance/submission wiggle shake.
One two-spot goby who is hilarious and doing great thus far. The clowns like the top part of the tank, the goby is on the bottom obviously. I need 2 or 3 middle swimmers.

Could I get away with these?

One Tracey's Damsel
One Helfrichi Firefish
Blue Reef Chromis or Blue/Green Reef Chromis (can they be solo or do they need buddies?)

I appreciate the help!

 

[Wolverinegreg]

Thanks for the quick reply Snorvich, appreciated!

 

[snorvich]

Snorvich - you are awesome for offering up your expertise on fish stocking, thanks!
I have a 37g reef with LPS and some Zoas so far (and 1 little tiny montipora frag) all thriving.

Two ocellaris clowns that seem to be doing the domanance/submission wiggle shake.
One two-spot goby who is hilarious and doing great thus far.

two spot gobies are exceptionally difficult to maintain, especially in small tanks

The clowns like the top part of the tank, the goby is on the bottom obviously. I need 2 or 3 middle swimmers.

Could I get away with these?

One Tracey's Damsel
One Helfrichi Firefish yes
Blue Reef Chromis or Blue/Green Reef Chromis (can they be solo or do they need buddies?) solo only

I appreciate the help!

 

[lcs]

6' 125

Have:
Occ. clown
melanurus wrasse

Would like to add:
second clown
flasher wrasse harem (4?)
3-4 yellow assessors
m/f tank bred Bangaii cardinals
firefish
YWG
tailspot blenny
starry blenny
yellow eye kole tang
m/f ruby red dragonets (after a year)

 

[snorvich]

6' 125

Have:
Occ. clown
melanurus wrasse

Would like to add:
second clown be sure it is the same species and tiny; it is likely that your existing clown is beginning to become female
flasher wrasse harem (4?) only one male and 3 females/juveniles
3-4 yellow assessors they do not get along, I would suggest only one
m/f tank bred Bangaii cardinals
firefish introduce early
YWG
tailspot blenny
starry blenny only one blenny
yellow eye kole tang
m/f ruby red dragonets (after a year) one would be fine, tank size is marginal for two.

 

[voodoofish]

what to put with clowns?

what to put with clowns?

14g biocube , fiji live rock, live sand , 2 clownfish right now. would like to add a pj cardinal fish and the cuc

 

[snorvich]

14g biocube , fiji live rock, live sand , 2 clownfish right now. would like to add a pj cardinal fish and the cuc

two clownfish need a larger tank so adding additional fish is undesirable.

[welcome]

 

[Mhay]

Tank info below in signature.

Currently Have:
1 Pair of Black Ice Clowns
1 Royal Gramma

On the Way:
Yellow Coris Wrasse

Would like to add:
1 - Kole Tang
1 - Diamond Goby or Sleeper Goby
2 - Fire Fish
1 - Clown Goby
1 - Algae Blenny

Questions:
Can I mix cleaner shrimp and Peppermint shrimp? If so, what would be the max number of each I could do?

I'd like to have some type of butterfly as well. Are there any that would work with a 75 gallon? I've only seen min tank sizes at 120 or so.

If the above fish are all okay with each other do I have room to add more?

 

[snorvich]

Tank info below in signature.

Currently Have:
1 Pair of Black Ice Clowns
1 Royal Gramma

On the Way:
Yellow Coris Wrasse

Would like to add:
1 - Kole Tang
1 - Diamond Goby or Sleeper Goby
2 - Fire Fish only one will coexist long term
1 - Clown Goby
1 - Algae Blenny

Questions:
Can I mix cleaner shrimp and Peppermint shrimp? If so, what would be the max number of each I could do? one pair of cleaner shrimp and any number of peppermint shrim (not camel shrimp)

I'd like to have some type of butterfly as well. Are there any that would work with a 75 gallon? I've only seen min tank sizes at 120 or so. sorry, no

If the above fish are all okay with each other do I have room to add more?

If all are added, you are about full up

 

[r_okeanos]

I am planning a 75-100 gallon Caribbean reef biotope (gorgorians, ricardeas, zoas). What do you think of mixing? Do you think it is safe to add another wrasse, such as a clown wrasse, in a tank this size?
1 Blue head wrasse
2 chalk basses
2 flame cardinalfish
1 longnose butterflyfish
3 royal gramma
1 cherub angelfish
2 jawfish
2 caribbean sailfin blenny
2 green banded gobies

 

[snorvich]

I am planning a 75-100 gallon Caribbean reef biotope (gorgorians, ricardeas, zoas). What do you think of mixing? Do you think it is safe to add another wrasse, such as a clown wrasse, in a tank this size? I would not
1 Blue head wrasse
2 chalk basses careful, I do not think that you can have two males
2 flame cardinalfish
1 longnose butterflyfish
3 royal gramma should be added concurrently
1 cherub angelfish not reef safe
2 jawfish
2 caribbean sailfin blenny only one
2 green banded gobies

 

[Optimist1979]

Hello. Three months ago I setup 55 gallon bare bottom mixed reef with LR and Bubble Magus NAC5 skimmer, cycled and ready to go. The tank is covered with a plastic mesh screen. I have a ton of amphipods whose population I'd like to keep in check. Here's what I have planned:

2x Occ. Clowns
1x Possum Wrasse
1x Yellow Assessor
2x Bangaii Cardinals
3x Blue Chromis
1x Fire shrimp
2x Peppermint Shrimp

Am I ok with compatibility? Sound like a lot for a 55 gallon?